Alexandros Kyziridis insists Hearts are ready for a final-day decider with Celtic and will use the sense of injustice from having a stonewall penalty turned down against Motherwell to fuel their drive for the title.
The Tynecastle outfit were drawing 1-1 at Fir Park on Saturday night when Kyziridis went down in the area after appearing to have his left foot stood on by Tawanda Maswanhise.
However, despite being sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Greg Aitken, referee Steven McLean refused to give a spot-kick and Derek McInnes’ league leaders ended up dropping two points.
Hearts are now just one point clear of Celtic with two games to play — including Saturday’s visit to Parkhead — and a furious Kyziridis was clear when asked whether the unhappiness over McLean’s big call will be used as a source of motivation.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Exactly. It’s weird because 99 per cent of the time, when they call the referee to see the situation, they review it. This time, he didn’t.’
Asked if the referee possibly felt he had made a meal of going down, the Greek winger replied: ‘I have no idea what he has in his mind. I felt a touch and fell down.
Alexandros Kyziridis was visibly deflated after being denied what he felt was a clear penalty
Tawanda Maswanhise steps out before making contact with Kyziridis in the box at Fir Park
‘You saw it. Everyone can see it except the referee.’
Hearts have Falkirk at home on Wednesday night while Celtic go to Motherwell — and Kyziridis was clear when asked whether McInnes’ side were ready for what would be involved in a blockbusting last-day title decider at Parkhead.
‘You think we’re not? One hundred per cent we are ready. For everything,’ he said.
‘Everyone is disappointed with the result (at Motherwell), but that is a good mentality because we have been going out there to win every game from day one. We are almost at the end of the season and this is what I like.’
Hearts also have to deal with Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard missing these final two matches having sustained Achilles tendon injuries at Fir Park, but Kyziridis recalls how the squad dealt with losing captain Lawrence Shankland and star midfielder Cammy Devlin at the same time earlier in the campaign.
‘It’s tough, but we have a huge squad and every player is important. There are many players who can adapt so fast and that is why we are calm,’ he stated.
‘In every team in every year, there will be injuries. The good thing is that we are a family and every player who comes from the bench or the stands is focused 100 per cent and will give everything to the team.’
Asked about the potential for McLean’s penalty decision to have a big say on the final destination of the title in the wake of these last two fixtures, Kyziridis said: ‘I don’t want to think about that right now. I just need to be focused on Wednesday.’
